Giacomo Ferrero

On 12 September 1943, Thomas Hayden and Patrick Kelly, two PoWs, escaped from PG. 112 (Turin) and found refuge in the area near Busano. Giacomo invited them to his home and provided them with food and clean clothes: «They were welcomed to the family – by myself, my wife, and my six children – like they were my brothers».

Despite the risks, the two escapees kept living in Giacomo’s home for almost five months, during which they repaid the hospitality by helping with chores and chopping wood for the fire.

I can affirm most sincerely that my whole family felt a real affection towards these two youngsters who were so far away from home.

In January 1944, thanks to the help of partisan leader Gino Barbieri, the two escapees were moved to a hideout in the mountains.

The departure of these two fine young men, who for long months had been treated like my relatives, provoked in everyone a deep sense of regret.

Before their departure, Hayden and Kelly were supplied with clothes and food. After a few months, Giacomo managed to pay them a visit in the mountains and, during May, they returned to his home for a final goodbye before leaving the area for good.

In June 1945, Giacomo andswered the call of the Allied Screening Commission, asking news about the two men:

My whole family and I would very much like to hear of them, because, as I have said, these youngsters were as dear to us as if the had been our own children.